Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 145: what you’re looking at

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me ee ee eee ee ee ee 132 blemished as your fame was great. ee ee ELLEN PERCY; OR, TITIE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. I did not ask | justice: and if I fled without succouring him in where you lived: I sought not to know: I dared | his aims, he would cause a hue and cry to be raised not trust myself: I was afraid lest in a moment of after me. madness—of delirious parental pride—I might | compelled to submit. These were his menaces !—and I was Oh, it is dreadful for me as obey the promptings of my heart and rush to your | a father to be forced to make all these avowals to dwelling that I might seek your presence. offered to allow me a small quarterly stipend if I would go into some seclusion and trouble him no more with my visits. I readily assented. But before I left London on that occasion, I resolved to see you upon the stage. JI fulfilled my desire. At the remotest point from the lustre of the foot- lights—amidst the crowd at the entrance of the pit—I took my stand. Ah! I cannot describe the feelings with which I beheld you No, no—it is impossible !””—and now my father sobbed audibly. “ And I the while,” I murmured, deeply affected, ‘‘was ignorant in the presence of whom I was thus displaying the little talent which heaven has given me!” “ Let me hasten to make an end of this narra- tive,” said my sire, abruptly. “On the following day, when I was about to leave London,” he con- tinued, “ my evil star threw me in the way of the Earl of Carshalton. Long years had elapsed since last we met: but the recognition was imme- diate and mutual. The terror which seized upon me—my speechless confusion—my trembling frame, betrayed the truth: I dared not deny my identity. His lordship was leaning upon the arm of an elegant and handsome young man, whom a certain family resemblance indicated to be his son. The Earl addressed me coldly and distantly : but he gave me to understand that my secret was safe with him. I poured forth the expressions of my gratitude—and hurried away. That encounter had given me such a shock that I felt exceedingly ill : I returned to my humble lodgings; and for the a _ Parks | you as my daughter !” “Then why dwell upon the subject ?” I asked, in anguish of mind, “‘ Because you must know everything,” was my sire’s reply. ‘‘I will now give you a proof of the devilish aptitude for mischief which characterizes that young nobleman whose look is so ingenuous, whose language is so specious, whose voice is so soft, and whose manners are so fascinating. All the details of his project were arranged and com- bined with the utmost carefulness ; and every pos- sible difficulty was weighed, foreseen, and pro- vided against. His father possesses an estate at no great distance hence: Lord Frederick Ravens- cliffe therefore knew Embledon—he knew likewise that the minister’s name is Croft. I was to per- sonate this Mr. Croft, so that if Mr. Norman should perchance refer to the Clergy List he would arrive at the conclusion that all was fair and straightforward and everything was being con- ducted with honour. Such were the arrangements ; and again I repeat I was compelled to submit. Lord Frederick told me that a young lady who was residing with the Normans’, would act as bride- maid: but he did not happen to mention the name. From his father’s lips he had learnt that my real name was Percy: but it evidently did not fora moment strike him that there could be any possible connexion between yourself and me. Cons ceive, therefore, my surprise, Ellen—my conster- nation and dismay—when I beheld you enter the room where the mock marriage was to take place! Yet all my feelings I succeeded in veiling. I next two or three days kept my bed. Whenagain|saw how you contemplated me: -I understood able to leave the room, I determined to lose no time in quitting London. Again my evil star was working mischief against me: I fell in with that handsome young man on whose arm I had seen the Earl of Carshalton leaning ; and he stopped me. Isaw that my presence had inspired him with some idea: but he quickly gave me to under- stand that though he had learnt from his father’s lips all the particulars of my secret, he did not in- tend to injure me. At the same time he signified that his forbearance depended upon my readiness to do him a service. He made an appointment to meet me again in a few days; and I dared not dis- obey his injunctions. We met on several occa- sions; and he unveiled his plans. Then I disco- vered that the beautifully handsome form of Lord Frederick Ravenscliffe contained the heart of a fiend. He told me how he was deeply enamoured of a beautiful girl who was too virtuous to become his mistress, but who was in a position of life which rendered it utterly impossible that he should honourably espouse her. He told me likewise how, by means of a tale as well-contrived as it was false, he had induced this girl’s parents to agree to @ marriage between their daughter and himself, to be solemnized under circumstances of the strictest privacy. Now you begin to comprehend, Ellen, how that young villain was weaving his meshes around myself. I was completely in his power. if I refused my assent to the diabolical plan which ae SS wherefore: I knew that the recollection of my image as you had seen me at your grandfather’s house, must be hovering in your mind. When the proceeding was accomplished, I left the house with the least possible delay. But in obedience to the previously given instructions of Lord Frederick, I came to Embledon; and here, still retaining the name of Mr. Croft, I fixed my abode. The object of such a proceeding may be easily understood. No marriage certificate was given at the time of the mock ceremony; and I was to be here in readiness to answer any letter that Lord Frederick himself might sooner or later be compelled to write tome. When, after your poor aunt’s death, you visited Embledon, you saw how careful I was to prevent you from prosecuting any inquiries which might lesd to discuvery and exposure in respect to the foul fraud that had been committed; and you saw likewise how I did my best to precipitate your departure. I will not speak of the feeling which I experienced during that interview with you, my own daughter s * No, uo, father!” I exclaimed: “dwell not upon details that must be painful to you! But tell me—has not Lord Frederick Ravenscliffe writ. ten to you K “Yes,” answered my parent: “a few days ago he wrote, acquainting me with the importunities oi her whom he had deceived, and of her continued entreaties that he would procure the certificate. he proposed, he would give me into the hands of| But I did not answer his letter. I reflected that —_—_—— —-—_—_---— -- CORNIGDOOKS Com